Container with butterfly lid closure

ABSTRACT

A container with a butterfly lid closure has a base portion and two overlapping hinged lid portions for providing a secure vented closure. The container has a base with a top peripheral edge at an open top end. Two hinged butterfly lid portions are secured to the upper peripheral edge at sides of the base. The lid portions are secured to the base in a closed position by locking recesses on the lid portions that engage locking formations on the upper peripheral edge. A groove on one lid portion engages a groove on another lid portion to form a seal where the lid portions overlap. Venting channels formed on the locking formations allow air to pass in and out of the container, but prevent liquids from entering the container. Arched ridges on the container&#39;s sidewalls increase the container&#39;s rigidity and resistance to top loading.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.provisional Application No. 61/877,376, filed on Sep. 13, 2013, theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to containers, such as those in theconfiguration of packages and tubs, which may or may not have a lid.More specifically, the present invention relates to such containers thatare used to store articles, such as food.

It is well known in the art that containers are commonly used to storefood, but it should be understood that the invention relates to any typeof container for any type of purpose.

For storing foods such as salad, it is desirable to use a container thathas an air vent, while it is also desirable to prevent fluid fromentering the container. Storing salad and other produce in ventedcontainers allows air to circulate through the container, allowing thefood to stay fresher for a longer period of time. However, air ventsoften create openings for liquids to enter the container. For example,vents are commonly formed as simple holes in the container walls, whichallow both air and water to pass through the container wall. While theventing of air can benefit the produce within the container, there is arisk that a liquid will enter the container and contaminate or damagethe produce, negating any benefit offered by the air vent. Thus, thereis a need to provide a container with a vent that allows air tocirculate through a container but prevents liquids from entering thecontainer.

Additionally, for many types of containers, there is a desire to makethe structure, including the walls, as rigid as possible. However, thereneeds to be some additional elements or materials to achieve this, whichadds cost. For example, it is common to include carbon fiber or metalreinforcement members, which not only adds complexity to themanufacturing process but also adds significant cost. Also, it ispossible to simply make the walls of the container thicker, which,similarly, adds costs in view of the use of additional material usage.Thus, there is a balancing between amount and nature of material usedand the rigidity of the container. This is particularly true withcontainers that are made of plastic material using a forming process,such as thermoforming or injection molding.

In view of the above, the prior art attempts are not adequate, as theydo not provide a container having a vented closure that allows air tocirculate through the container while preventing liquids from enteringthe container.

There is a need for a container that allows air to enter the containerbut does not allow liquid to easily enter the container.

There is a need for a container that is the same as or less expensivethan prior art containers yet are more rigid with an increasedresistance to top load which allows for an increase in stack weight onthe top of the container or tub.

There is a need for a container that uses less material with thinnerwalls yet provides superior rigidity for increased top load capability,i.e. ability to support larger weight with more items stacked thereon.

There is also a desire to provide a container that includes a closurethat secures the container closed a certain times, such as duringshipping. However, there is also a need for a container to be easilyopened when access to the contents is desired.

There is even a further need for a container that attractive inappearance.

SUMMARY OF SELECTED FEATURES

The container described herein preserves the advantages of prior artcontainers and tubs. In addition, it provides new advantages not foundin currently available containers and tubs and overcomes manydisadvantages of such currently available containers and tubs.

The container described herein is a novel and unique container (i.e. atub) that has one or more venting channels that allows air to enter andexit the container, yet still prevents liquid from entering thecontainer.

More specifically, the container provides a butterfly lid including twohingedly connected doors for a container having a base having a bottom,side walls, corners and a top peripheral edge defining an open top end.The side walls of the container are reinforced by ridges in the form ofarches. A butterfly lid forms a closure on the top end of the base. Thebutterfly lid has two lid portions that are each secured to the upperperipheral edge of the base by a hinge that can be provided byperforation, or the like.

A user can move the lid portions to a closed position in which theyoverlap. The lids can overlap in any order. In an embodiment, the lidportion having a non-directional tab can be moved to the closed positionfirst, and the lid portion having a directional tab (has directionsthereon) can be moved to the closed position second. In the closedposition, the lid portions form a seal on the base, and locking recesseson the lid portions are frictionally secured to locking formations onthe upper peripheral edge of the base. The lid portions overlap at thecenter of the top end of the container, and a groove on one lid portionis received in a groove on the other lid portion to form a seal thatprevents liquid from entering the container. A pull tab on each lidportion allows a user to hingedly pivot the lids to thereby open thecontainer.

While the lid portions and base form a seal, venting channels are,respectively, defined between the lid portions and the base to allow airto enter and exit the container.

Ridges are formed in at least one of the side walls. The ridges are inthe configuration of at least one arch having an apex where the apex ofthe at least one arch is proximal to the open top end of the base. Thearches provide reinforcement to the base of the container to increasetop load resistance.

Many different configurations of the present container are possible. Itis possible to have a single lock recess on each side of each lidportion, or there may be multiple lock recesses on each side of each lidportion. It is also possible to have a single venting channel on thecontainer, or there may be multiple venting channels on the container.Preferably, there is one venting channel for each lid.

Described herein is a container that has a butterfly lid and a ventingchannel that prevents liquid from entering the container.

In addition, the container can have thinner walls than prior artcontainers yet still provides top load resistance.

Moreover, the container can include an engineered geometry so thatsuperior top load capability can be achieved with thinner materialwalls.

The container can also securely contain its contents therein yet is easyto open.

In addition, the container is an attractive container that is functionalsuperior to prior art containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the container describedherein are set forth in the appended claims. However, the container'spreferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendantadvantages, will be best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container, with the butterfly lid inthe closed position;

FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a right view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a left view thereof;

FIG. 7 shows a left view of the container with the butterfly lid in anopen position;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the container being opened;

FIG. 9 a shows the right portion of the butterfly lid overlapping theleft portion;

FIG. 9 b shows the left portion of the butterfly lid overlapping theright portion;

FIG. 10 shows a front elevational view of FIG. 9 b;

FIG. 11 a shows the venting channel with the butterfly lid in a closedposition;

FIG. 11 b shows another view thereof;

FIG. 11 c shows the venting channel with the butterfly lid in the openposition;

FIG. 11 d shows another view thereof;

FIG. 12 a shows the container in the open position;

FIG. 12 b shows another view thereof;

FIG. 13 shows a top view thereof, with possible dimensions;

FIG. 14 shows a front view thereof, with possible dimensions;

FIG. 15 is a top view of another embodiment of a container in an openposition as described herein;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the container of FIG. 15 in a closed position;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the container along line B-B ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the container of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a hinge shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the container of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 of the present invention is shown toinclude a base 12 and a butterfly lid 14. The butterfly lid 14 includesa first lid portion 16 and a second lid portion 18. The butterfly lid 14provides a vented closure for the container 10, as explained herein.

The container 10 is provided with the items to be stored residingtherein, such as food or the like (not shown). Preferably, the lidportions 16, 18 rotate towards the base 12 and engage the peripheral topedge 20 of the base 12 with a peripheral lid edge 58 (shown in FIG. 15)on each lid portion 16, 18 to provide a seal. As shown in FIGS. 15 and16, in an embodiment, a weld strip 52 can be positioned along at least aportion of a length of the peripheral top edge 20 of the base 12 tostrengthen the container 10. Preferably, the weld strip 52 is along anedge of the base 12 that does not include a hinge with one of the lidportions 16, 18. The weld strip 52 can be about 0.20 inch to about 0.50inch in width, preferably about 0.25 inch.

The first lid portion 16 and the second lid portion 18 of the butterflylid 14 are integrally formed with the base 12, and are each connected tothe base 12 by a hinge 24 at the peripheral top edge of the base. Asshown in FIG. 1, the hinge 24 can be a perforated hinge. It should beunder that perforation is one of many different ways to hingedly connectthe lid portions 16, 18 to the base. In another embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, the hinge 24 can aid in abating buckling of thesidewalls 26. The first lid portion 16 and the second lid portion 18 maybe moved from an open position to a closed position. In the closedposition, as shown in FIG. 2, the first lid portion 16 and the secondlid portion 18 together span the open top end of the base 12.

The butterfly type of lid improves the filling process because the lidportions 16, 18 can serve as a funnel for the container 10. When the lidportions 16, 18 are angled 45°-60° from the horizontal, a product suchas a salad can be dispensed from above and guided into the container 10by the lid portions 16, 18. Filling prior art containers can be a messyprocess, unless additional funneling equipment is used to contain thesalad being placed in the container.

To improve the structural rigidity of the container 10, the side walls26 of the base 12 have ridges that are in the form of an arch 28 havingan apex that is near the top end of the base 12. In the bottom view ofFIG. 3, the arched ridges extend upwardly from a bottom of the base 12along the angled side walls 26 of the container 10.

The container 10 can include a number of arches 28, shown in FIGS. 1, 4,5, 6, 7, 17, 20 and 21, that are integrated into a wall geometry of thebase 12 where the apex of the arches 28 receives the downward forcesfrom the weight of any object stacked on the top thereof. The arches 28can be formed by creating ridges in the wall using thermoformingtechniques, such as providing the appropriate tooling to create suchridges, where desired. The container 10 incorporates the structuraladvantages of arches, such as in bridges, into a container for improvingthe structural integrity thereof.

FIGS. 4-7 provide additional views of the container 10 showing thearched ridges 28 on the side walls 26. In the example shown in thefigures, the container 10 is generally rectangular in shape so one sideis longer than the other. To illustrate this, FIGS. 3 and 4 show frontand rear views of the shorter sides (front and back of the container)while FIGS. 5 and 6 show views of the long side (sides of thecontainer). This rectangular configuration is just one example of howthe container 10 can be used. For example, the container 10 can beformed into a square, round, oval or other shapes depending on the needand application at hand. Moreover, the geometry of the fingers 42 andarches 28 can be altered and the number on each of the side wallschanged to form a container 10 having appropriate strength andappearance.

To facilitate opening of the butterfly lid 14 of the container 10, thefirst and second lid portions 16, 18 each have a pull tab 30 that has asurface that a user can grip. When gripping the pull tab 30, the userrotates the respective lid portion 16, 18 away from the base 12. FIG. 8shows a user opening the exemplary embodiment of the container 10 of thepresent invention by gripping the pull tab.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show more clearly the pull tabs 30 on the lid portions16, 18, with the lid portions 16, 18 in a partially open position. FIG.9 a shows the first lid portion overlapping the second lid portion,while FIG. 9 b shows the second lid portion 18 overlapping the first lidportion 16. The pull tabs 30 on the lid portions 16, 18 are symmetrical,so it does not matter which lid portion 16, 18 is closed over the other.In another embodiment, the pull tab 30 on the first lid portion 16 canbe a directional pull tab, and the pull tab 30 on the second lid portion18 can be a non-directional pull tab. In this embodiment, the second lidportion 18 can be closed first and the first lid portion 16 can beclosed second.

When the lid portions 16, 18 are in the closed position, they arefrictionally secured to the base by a frictional locking structure,forming a seal at the peripheral edge of the base 12. FIG. 10 providesanother view of the lid portions 16, 18 in a partially open position, toshow more clearly the frictional locking structure. Locking recesses 32formed at the sides of the lid portions 16, 18 frictionally receivelocking formations 34 formed near the peripheral edge of the base. Asshown in FIG. 1, the locking formations can be positioned at theperipheral edge 20 of the base 12. Alternatively, the locking formations34 can be positioned inward of the peripheral edge 20 of the base tofurther abate tampering as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and the weld strip52 can be positioned at the peripheral edge 20. In use, once the firstlid portion 16 and the second lid portion 18 are closed, the first andsecond lid portions 16, 18 can be sonic welded at the weld strip. Inaddition, perforation can be added to the area of the first and secondlid portions 16, 18 to be sonic welded so as to allow for the lidportions 16, 18 to disengage from the base 12 at a predetermined pullforce.

In the exemplary embodiment, there are four locking formations 34 on theperipheral edge 20 of the base 12, one for each end of each lid portion16, 18. More or fewer locking formations 34 and locking recesses 32 canbe used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The locking formations 34 substantially prevent tampering with thecontents of the container 10.

In an embodiment, the container 10 can be wrapped by a pre-perforatedlabel (not shown). A user intending to tamper with the products withinthe container 10 would need to tear the pre-perforated label in order todisengage the locking recesses 32 from the locking formations 34 and todisengage the first and second lid portions 16, 18 from the base 12 atthe weld strip 52.

While the locking formations 34 provide a seal at the ends of thecontainer 10, the lid portions 16, 18 form a seal at the center of thetop of the container. FIG. 10 shows a groove 36 that is formed along thelong side of each lid portion 16, 18. In the area of the groove, eachlid portion has a convex lower surface and a concave upper surface.Thus, when the lid portions overlap, the convex face of the groove onone lid portion is received in facing relation with the concave face ofthe groove of the other lid portion. This engagement of the groovesforms a closure on the upper surface of the container, along the longside of each lid portion. It also prevents liquid from flowing into thecontainer where the butterfly lid portions meet. In an embodiment, asshown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the lid portions 16, 18 are in the closedposition, a U-shaped center bar (or groove) 60 can be formed to increaserigidity of the container 10. The center bar 60 can be made deeper forincreased rigidity.

Additionally, the groove 36 helps keep the lid portions centered on thebase, and provide additional structural stability on the upper surfaceof the container.

Furthermore, the grooves 36 are useful when a user is ready to open thecontainer. The container 10 of the present invention may be secured inthe closed position by a product label (not shown) that extends acrossthe lid 14. The product label can have a perforated line that isadjacent or aligned with the groove. Thus, the user can press theperforated line on the label downwardly into the groove. The label willtear along the perforated line, and the user can cleanly remove thelabel from the container.

While the lid portions 16, 18 otherwise form a seal on the container 10when the container 10 is in the closed position, a venting channel 38ensures that air can pass in and out of the container 10. FIGS. 11 a-11d show a venting channel 38 defined on an upper surface of a lockingformation 34. The venting channel 38 is formed between the base 12 andat least one of the lid portions 16, 18 when the lid 14 is closed. Inthe exemplary embodiment, a depression 40 extends from the interior wallof the base 12 to the peripheral edge of the base, as shown in FIGS. 11c and 11 d. The gap between this depression 40 and the lid portion 16,18 form the venting channel 38 when the lid portion 16, 18 is closed, asshown in FIGS. 11 a and 11 b.

When the lid portions 16, 18 are closed, a liquid cannot easily enterthe container 10 through the venting channel 38 without sufficientpressure applied to the fluid, because the venting channels 38 extendinwardly and upwardly over the locking formations 34. In contrast, priorart containers with simple venting holes allow both air and liquid toeasily enter a container without any additional pressure required. FIGS.11 a-11 d show the venting channel 38 of the exemplary embodimentextending upwardly over the locking formation 34, rather thanhorizontally or downwardly as it enters the container 10. With thecontainer 10 shown of a transparent material, the venting channels 38can be seen when the lids 16, 18 are in a closed position.

Adjacent to the locking formations 34 are elongated fingers 42 extendingdown the short side walls 26 of the container at a front and rear of thecontainer 10. These fingers 42 form a convex surface on the outer wallsof the container 10 and a concave surface on inner walls of thecontainer.

These fingers 42 serve two functions. First, they form arches thatprovide structural stability and increase the rigidity of the container10. Because they extend partially into the locking formations 34, theyincrease the rigidity of both the walls 26 and the locking formations 34in the same way the arches 28 increase the rigidity of the base 12.Second, they have a concave inner surface that allows the ventingchannel 38 to extend through the locking formations 34 and into thecontainer 10, as shown in FIGS. 11 a-11 d. As shown in FIG. 17, in anembodiment, the container can also include a single central U-shapedstructure 45 that is concave from an exterior 51 of a front wall 50 ofthe container 10. The inclusion of a single, central U-shaped structure45 can increase top load resistance to form a stronger container. TheU-shaped structure 45 can be wider at a top of the base 12 than at abottom of the base 12. In other embodiments, the container 10 caninclude one or more U-shaped structures 45 and/or one or more arches 28.

The container 10 of the exemplary embodiment is configured to facilitatestacking of multiple containers. The locking recesses 32 form convexridges on the upper surfaces of the lid portions 16, 18, whichfacilitate stacking. Additional stacking ridges can be formed on thelong sides of the upper surface of the lid portions 16, 18 adjacent tothe perforated hinges 24.

The container 10 is particularly well suited for being thermoformed outof plastic, which may be transparent, translucent or opaque.Thermoforming, using the appropriate tooling, is so well known in theart that it need not be discussed in detail herein. Suffice it to saythat the tooling would be appropriately manufactured to provide thedesired wall profiling to achieve the ridged arch formations, venting,locks and the like. Containers 10 made out of other materials by othermethods can also be achieved.

The container 10 may be molded in an open position, shown in FIGS. 12 a,12 b, 15 and 18. In one embodiment, the container may be dimensioned asshown in FIGS. 13 and 14. For example, the base can be about 6.640inches and the container can be about 8.813 inches long. In addition,the container can be about 3.000 inches when the container is in theopen position and about 3.280 inches when the container is in the closedposition. In another embodiment, the container can be about 9.68 incheslong, about 6.5 inches wide and about 3.22 inches high in the openposition, and the container can include a weld strip that is about 6.29inches long.

When the word “about” is used in this specification in connection with anumerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical valueinclude a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numerical value. Moreover,when reference is made to percentages in this specification, it isintended that those percentages are based on weight, i.e., weightpercentages.

Moreover, when the words “generally” and “substantially” are used inconnection with geometric shapes, it is intended that precision of thegeometric shape is not required but that latitude for the shape iswithin the scope of the disclosure. When used with geometric terms, thewords “generally” and “substantially” are intended to encompass not onlyfeatures which meet the strict definitions but also features whichfairly approximate the strict definitions.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changesand modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. All suchmodifications and changes are intended to be covered by the presentinvention and any appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container with a butterfly lid closure,comprising: a base having a bottom, side walls, and a top peripheraledge defining an open top end; a plurality of ridges formed in at leastone of the side walls; a butterfly lid having a first lid portion and asecond lid portion for releasably closing the open top end of the base;the first lid portion and second lid portions being integrally formedwith the base; the first lid portion being connected to the topperipheral edge by a first hinge; the second lid portion being connectedto the top peripheral edge by a second hinge; the first and second lidportions being movable from an open position to a closed position; thefirst and second lid portions being configured such that they overlapwhen in the closed position; a first groove formed at an edge of thefirst lid portion, and a second groove formed at an edge of the secondlid portion; the first groove and the second groove each having a convexlower face and a concave upper face; at least one locking recess formedon the first lid portion; at least one locking recess formed on thesecond lid portion; a plurality of locking formations formed near theperipheral edge of the base for engaging the locking recesses of thefirst lid portion and second lid portion when the first and second lidportions are in the closed position; and a venting channel defined on anupper surface of each locking formation when the first and second lidportions are in the closed position so that air can pass in and out ofthe container; the first and second lid portions each having a pull tabextending therefrom for opening the container; whereby a user may closethe container by overlapping the first and second lid portions so thatthe convex lower face of the first groove engages the concave upper faceof the second groove or the convex lower face of the second grooveengages the concave upper face; whereby the arches provide reinforcementto the base of the container to increase top load resistance.
 2. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of plastic.
 3. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the container is transparent.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the container is translucent.
 5. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the container is opaque.
 6. The containerof claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ridges includes at leastone arch having an apex, the apex of the at least one arch beingproximal to the open top end of the base.
 7. The container of claim 1,wherein the container is square, round, oval or rectangular in shape. 8.The container of claim 1, wherein the pull tabs on the first and secondlid portions are symmetrical.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein thefirst hinge and the second hinge are perforated hinges.
 10. Thecontainer of claim 1, further including a weld strip along a topperipheral edge of the base.